10 Organizations Looking for People with Lived Experience
You do not need a college degree, political connections, or years of advocacy experience to make a difference. If you've experienced homelessness, housing insecurity, poverty, foster care, addiction, incarceration, or another systemic challenge, your lived experience is valuable. In fact, many organizations are actively working to include people with lived experience because they understand that better policies begin with listening to the people most affected.
For too long, decisions about homelessness have been made without the voices of those who have experienced it firsthand. Thankfully, that is beginning to change. Across the country, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and government agencies are recognizing that lived experience is expertise. They are creating opportunities for people to serve on advisory boards, participate in research, testify before lawmakers, attend conferences, and help shape the future of public policy.
10 organizations looking for lived experience
If you've ever wondered where to start, here are ten organizations that value and are looking for lived experience. They all offer ways to get involved.
1. National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
The National Coalition for the Homeless is one of the nation's leading advocacy organizations working to end homelessness. They strongly believe that people who have experienced homelessness should help lead the movement. The organization hosts conferences, advocacy campaigns, leadership opportunities, and educational events where people with lived experience are encouraged to participate.
Website: https://nationalhomeless.org
2. National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
The National Low Income Housing Coalition advocates for affordable housing and policies that ensure everyone has access to safe, decent, and affordable homes. They regularly include advocates with lived experience in policy discussions, national campaigns, and public education efforts.
If you're interested in learning how federal housing policy works, this is an excellent organization to follow.
Website: https://nlihc.org
3. National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC)
Health and housing are deeply connected. The National Health Care for the Homeless Council works to improve healthcare for people experiencing homelessness while elevating the voices of people with lived experience through conferences, advisory groups, and educational initiatives.
Website: https://nhchc.org
4. National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is one of the country's most respected organizations focused on homelessness research and policy. Their reports are widely used by policymakers, journalists, and nonprofit leaders.
Following their work is one of the best ways to stay informed about national homelessness policy.
Website: https://endhomelessness.org
5. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness coordinates federal efforts to prevent and end homelessness. Their website provides policy updates, strategic plans, and information about federal initiatives.
Understanding how federal agencies work together can help advocates better understand where change happens.
Website: https://www.usich.gov
6. Your Local Continuum of Care (CoC)
Many people don't realize this, but every community has a Continuum of Care (CoC) responsible for coordinating homelessness services. These organizations often have advisory boards, planning committees, and workgroups that welcome people with lived experience.
If you want to make an impact in your own community, this is one of the best places to start.
Search online for:
"Continuum of Care" in your county
7. Everyone Home (Alameda County)
If you live in Alameda County as I do, Everyone Home coordinates regional homelessness planning and regularly works with community members, service providers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.
Many communities have similar organizations responsible for coordinating local homelessness strategies.
Website: https://everyonehome.org
8. National Consumer Advisory Board (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports recovery-oriented programs and values input from individuals with lived experience related to mental health and substance use.
Their resources can also help advocates understand how behavioral health intersects with homelessness.
Website: https://www.samhsa.gov
9. Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies exist throughout the United States and work to reduce poverty by providing employment services, financial education, housing support, and advocacy opportunities.
Many agencies encourage community members to participate on advisory boards because they believe services should be informed by the people who use them.
Find your local agency here:
10. Your City Council, County Board, and Local Commissions
You don't always need to join a national organization to make a difference.
Many cities have commissions focused on homelessness, housing, youth, disability, transportation, aging, or public health. These meetings are open to the public, and many encourage public comment or recruit community members to serve on advisory boards.
Your voice matters just as much at the local level as it does nationally.
You Are More Qualified Than You Think
One of the biggest barriers isn't a lack of opportunity.
It's self-doubt.
I've heard people say:
"I don't know enough."
"I've never spoken in public."
"I'm not educated enough."
"Nobody wants to hear from me."
I used to believe those things too.
Then I learned something that completely changed my perspective.
You can teach someone how government works.
You can teach someone how to read a policy report.
You can teach someone how to testify before a city council.
You cannot teach someone what it's like to sleep in their car, navigate shelter systems, lose housing, struggle to access healthcare, or survive on almost nothing.
That knowledge comes from lived experience.
And that experience deserves a seat at the table.
The Future of Policy Depends on Us
Every policy affects someone's life.
Housing policy affects whether families remain housed.
Healthcare policy affects whether people receive treatment.
Transportation policy affects whether someone can get to work.
Food assistance policy affects whether children go to bed hungry.
If those most affected aren't involved in creating solutions, we're only solving part of the problem.
The future of public policy shouldn't be built solely by people behind desks.
It should also be shaped by the people who have lived the reality.
If you've experienced homelessness or another systemic challenge, I hope you'll consider getting involved.
Ask questions.
Attend meetings.
Join an organization.
Tell your story when you're ready.
You don't have to change the world overnight.
Sometimes change begins with one person realizing that their voice matters. And maybe that person is you.
Together, we can build a future where people with lived experience are no longer viewed as clients or statistics, but as partners in creating better policies and stronger communities.
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